Paris Amaro is the only jewelry designer among the Parsons x Kering Empowering Imagination competition’s 10 student finalists, but his work is as informed by the body as those of his fashion designer peers. Sculptural bracelets and rings actually incorporate intertwined human forms, while his large but lightweight earrings accentuate the geometry of the cheek and jaw bones and the curving arcs of earlobes. “To design for the body is to find a form at once organic and sensual, using sculptural methods to convey modernity and sophistication,” he says.

Now in its sixth year, the Parsons x Kering Empowering Imagination design competition provides two exceptional talents from the senior class of the school’s BFA program mentorships at Kering along with $10,000 to launch their collections. This year’s winners will be announced at the 69th annual Parsons Benefit on May 22. In the lead-up to the competition, Vogue is profiling the 10 finalists. Read about Amaro’s aspirations here and check back daily to learn about his fellow finalists.

How are you incorporating sustainability into your work? I tend to focus on artisanal craftsmanship that’s created by hand. I use fair mined Mexican gold sourced in small-scale mining organizations and I also use recycled metals. If you could change something about the fashion business, what would it be? I would eliminate the cruelty and racial discrimination against models. They are our inspiration, friends, colleagues, and muses. I find it unacceptable that fashion being one of the most “diverse” industries still has this type of hypocrisy and aggression around us. Who are you most eager to dress and why? I would feel honored to share my pieces with Vanessa Traina, Virginia Smith, and Camille Henrot because I admire their beauty, style, and intelligence. To me, they represent what I always try to capture with my designs: sophistication, simplicity, and sensuality. What would you like to be doing a year from graduation?

I would like to have an established jewelry brand while being a fashion editor.